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Forecasting Tourism Demand: Methods And Strategies
by Douglas Frechtling'Forecasting tourism demand' is a text that no tourism professional can afford to be without. The tourism industry has experienced an overwhelming boom over recent years, and being able to predict future trends as accurately as possible is vital in the struggle to stay one step ahead of the competition. Building on the success of 'Practical Tourism Forecasting' this text looks at 13 methods of forecasting and with a user friendly style, 'Forecasting Tourism Demand' guides the reader through each method, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses and explaining how it can be applied to the tourism industry.'Forecasting Tourism Demand' employs charts and tables to explain how to:* plan a forecasting project* analyse time series and other information* select the appropriate forecasting model* use the model for forecasting and evaluate its resultsIdeal for marketing managers and strategic planners in business, transportation planners and economic policy makers in government who must project demand for their products among tourists. Executives who rely on forecasts prepared by others will find it invaluable in assisting them to evaluate the validity and reliability of predictions and forecasts. Those engaged in analysing business trends will find it useful in surveying the future of what has been called the largest industry in the world.
Forecasting Tourism Demand
by Douglas Frechtling'Forecasting tourism demand' is a text that no tourism professional can afford to be without. The tourism industry has experienced an overwhelming boom over recent years, and being able to predict future trends as accurately as possible is vital in the struggle to stay one step ahead of the competition. Building on the success of 'Practical Tourism Forecasting' this text looks at 13 methods of forecasting and with a user friendly style, 'Forecasting Tourism Demand' guides the reader through each method, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses and explaining how it can be applied to the tourism industry.'Forecasting Tourism Demand' employs charts and tables to explain how to:* plan a forecasting project* analyse time series and other information* select the appropriate forecasting model* use the model for forecasting and evaluate its resultsIdeal for marketing managers and strategic planners in business, transportation planners and economic policy makers in government who must project demand for their products among tourists. Executives who rely on forecasts prepared by others will find it invaluable in assisting them to evaluate the validity and reliability of predictions and forecasts. Those engaged in analysing business trends will find it useful in surveying the future of what has been called the largest industry in the world.
Foreign Faces
by V.S. Pritchett'I am,' writes Mr. Pritchett, 'an offensive traveller'-meaning not that he is rude to porters, but that his praise of a country has sometimes been taken by its inhabitants as abuse or ridicule. Be that as it may, his book, which is based upon sojourns in Spain, Turkey, Persia, and the Iron Curtain countries, will delight every English reader. Pritchett's alert eye and relaxed manner, his flair for meeting new places and people without any warping preoccupations, produce the most felicitous results, particularly with the 'Peoples' Democracies', which most travellers approach with a bias to left or right. 'The Communist countries are like schools: the population is trained, and like schoolchildren have their own ways of getting round authority.' The low heels and low rents of Czechoslovakia; the high spirits and outspokenness of the Polish; Bulgaria, where the water is delicious and roses grow everywhere; Romania, so obdurate beneath its Latin surface-wherever he goes Pritchett unerringly picks out significant details, giving us the genius loci, sharing with us his curiosity about ways of life different from our own, imparting to us the warmth of his own response to them.
The Forest Guide: Copses, Woods and Forests of Scotland
by Gabriel HemeryA guide to exploring 365 of Scotland's most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically significant woodlands. From the precious fragments of Caledonian pine forest to lesser-known wildwoods and urban copses, Scottish woodlands offer places of sanctuary, both for wildlife and for people. In this practical guide, Gabriel Hemery brings together the beauty, purpose, history, wildlife and ownership of some of the most extraordinary woodland sites in the country, from the largest (the Forest of Ae, which covers more than 10,000 hectares) to the smallest (Halligarth in the Shetland Islands, measuring less than a third of a hectare), and everything in-between. Some woods are notable for having the tallest or rarest trees, others are the best places in the country for spotting ospreys or red squirrels, or even marine mammals; some are known as the best places to explore preserved archaeological features, discovering hidden histories or simply enjoying spectacular scenery. Divided into 14 regions, each beginning with a summary of the region's woodland heritage, this guide features 365 sites, including details of ownership, designation, area, forest type, how to access it (including grid reference, post code and 'what3words' reference), alongside a description of the site's key features. Featuring more than 200 stunning photographs of Scotland's plants, animals and spectacular landscapes and expert region maps to help guide you to your nearest forest site, this is an essential book for adventurers, ramblers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wherever you may be in Scotland, with this guide you will never be far from a fascinating forest site!
The Forest Guide: Copses, Woods and Forests of Scotland
by Gabriel HemeryA guide to exploring 365 of Scotland's most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically significant woodlands. From the precious fragments of Caledonian pine forest to lesser-known wildwoods and urban copses, Scottish woodlands offer places of sanctuary, both for wildlife and for people. In this practical guide, Gabriel Hemery brings together the beauty, purpose, history, wildlife and ownership of some of the most extraordinary woodland sites in the country, from the largest (the Forest of Ae, which covers more than 10,000 hectares) to the smallest (Halligarth in the Shetland Islands, measuring less than a third of a hectare), and everything in-between. Some woods are notable for having the tallest or rarest trees, others are the best places in the country for spotting ospreys or red squirrels, or even marine mammals; some are known as the best places to explore preserved archaeological features, discovering hidden histories or simply enjoying spectacular scenery. Divided into 14 regions, each beginning with a summary of the region's woodland heritage, this guide features 365 sites, including details of ownership, designation, area, forest type, how to access it (including grid reference, post code and 'what3words' reference), alongside a description of the site's key features. Featuring more than 200 stunning photographs of Scotland's plants, animals and spectacular landscapes and expert region maps to help guide you to your nearest forest site, this is an essential book for adventurers, ramblers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wherever you may be in Scotland, with this guide you will never be far from a fascinating forest site!
Forest of Foes (The Bernicia Chronicles)
by Matthew HarffyIn this action-packed new Bernicia Chronicles adventure from Matthew Harffy, Beobrand finds himself in a dangerous foreign land, caught between warring factions of royalty and the Church. AD 652. Beobrand has been ordered to lead a group of pilgrims to the holy city of Rome. Chief among them is Wilfrid, a novice of the church with some surprisingly important connections. Taking only Cynan and some of his best men, Beobrand hopes to make the journey through Frankia quickly and return to Northumbria without delay, though the road is long and perilous.But where Beobrand treads, menace is never far behind. The lands of the Merovingian kings are rife with intrigue. The queen of Frankia is unpopular and her ambitious schemes, though benevolent, have made her powerful enemies. Soon Wilfrid, and Beobrand, are caught up in sinister plots against the royal house.After interrupting a brutal ambush in a forest, Beobrand and his trusted gesithas find their lives on the line. Dark forces will stop at nothing to seize control of the Frankish throne, and Beobrand is thrown into a deadly race for survival through foreign lands where he cannot be sure who is friend and who is foe.The only certainty is that if he is to save his men, thwart the plots, and unmask his enemies, blood will flow.Reviewers on Matthew Harffy: 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron 'He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown.' Jemahl Evans 'A genuinely superb novel.' Steven McKay 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow.' David Gilman
The Forest of Moon and Sword
by Amy Raphael'A wonderful book' PIERS TORDAY'Very exciting' ANTHONY MCGOWAN When Art's mother is accused of witchcraft and captured, she is determined to get her back - at any cost. A lyrical adventure with folklore at its heart, for fans of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS.Twelve-year-old Art lives in a small village in Scotland. Her mother has always made potions that cure the sick, but now the townspeople say she is a witch. One cloudless night, Art's mother is arrested and taken to England. Art mounts her horse, taking a sword, a tightrope, and a herbal recipe book, and begins a journey through wild forests, using nature's signs and symbols to guide her.But will she spot the signs from the omens? Will she reach her mother, before it's too late?'Gripping. I raced through it' - A.M. Howell, author of The Garden of Lost Secrets
The Forever Dog: A New Science Blueprint for Raising Healthy and Happy Canine Companions
by null Rodney Habib null Karen Shaw BeckerTwo of the world’s most popular and trusted pet care advocates reveal new science to teach us how to delay ageing and provide a long, happy, healthy life for our canine companions. The definitive, cutting-edge guide for every dog parent. The #1 New York Times Bestseller and Sunday Times Bestseller ‘Everyone who lives with dogs needs to read this book’ ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ, author of Inside of a Dog and Our Dogs, Ourselves Over the past few decades, many dogs have been getting sicker and dying prematurely. Why? Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Shaw Becker have galvanized the best wisdom from top geneticists, microbiologists and longevity researchers across the globe to answer this question. Now, they will provide the practical, proven tools to protect our loyal four-legged friends, interviewing people whose dogs have lived into their twenties – and even their thirties – along the way. The Forever Dog plan focuses on the latest scientific research surrounding food and nutrition, movement, environmental exposure and stress reduction, from the pros and cons of various types of pet food – including what commercial manufacturers don’t want us to know – to the role our own lifestyles and vets’ choices play. This definitive dog-care guide empowers us with the knowledge we need to keep our dogs health and happy for years to come.
Forever England (PDF)
by David Luddington“...And there will be a corner of some foreign field that will be forever England.” Only these days it’s more likely to be a half finished villa overlooking a championship golf course somewhere on one of The Costas. Following an unfortunate encounter with Spanish gin measures and an enthusiastic estate agent, retired special effects engineer Terry England is the proud owner of a nearly completed villa in a new urbanisation in Southern Spain. Not quite how he’d intended to spend his enforced early retirement Terry nevertheless tries to make the best of his new life. If only the local council can work out which house he’s actually bought and the leaf blowers would please stop. Terry finds himself being sucked in to the English Expat community with their endless garden parties and quests for real bacon and Tetley’s Tea Bags. Of course, if it all gets too much he can always relax in the local English Bar with a nice pint of Guinness, a roast beef lunch and the Mail on Sunday. With a growing feeling that he might have moved to the ‘Wrong Spain’, Terry sets out to explore and finds himself tangled in the affairs of a small rustic village in the Alpujarras. It is here where he finds a different Spain. A Spain of loves and passions, a Spain of new hopes and a simpler way of life. A place where a moped is an acceptable means of family transport and a place where if you let your guard down for just a moment this land will never let you go again. Forever England is the tale of one man trying to redefine who he is and how he wants to live. It is a story of hope and humour with an array of eccentric characters and comic situations for which David Luddington is so well known and loved.
Forget Me Not: Finding the forgotten species of climate-change Britain
by Sophie PavelleJoin Sophie Pavelle on a low-carbon journey around Britain in search of ten animals and habitats threatened by climate change in the 21st centuryForget-me-not – a beautiful flower and a plea from our islands' wildlife. When climate change has driven dozens of our most charismatic species to extinction, will they be forgotten? Like many of her generation, Sophie Pavelle is determined to demand action on climate change. In her hilarious and thought-provoking first book, she describes the trips she took to see ten rare native species: species that could disappear by 2050 and be forgotten by the end of the century if their habitats continue to decline. Sophie challenged herself to find them the low-carbon way, travelling the length of Britain on foot, by bicycle, in an electric car, by kayak, on ferries and in a lot of trains. From Bodmin Moor to the Orkney Islands, Sophie encountered species on the frontline of climate change in Britain. Which are going to be seriously affected, and why? Could some bounce back from the brink? Or are we too late to save them? Forget Me Not is a clarion call: we all need to play a part in tackling this most existential of threats. Everyone can see wildlife in the British Isles without contributing to its destruction. With joyful irreverence, Sophie shows us we can dare to hope. Journey with her, and she may even inspire you to take action for nature and head out on your own low-carbon adventure.
Forget Me Not: Finding the forgotten species of climate-change Britain
by Sophie PavelleJoin Sophie Pavelle on a low-carbon journey around Britain in search of ten animals and habitats threatened by climate change in the 21st centuryForget-me-not – a beautiful flower and a plea from our islands' wildlife. When climate change has driven dozens of our most charismatic species to extinction, will they be forgotten? Like many of her generation, Sophie Pavelle is determined to demand action on climate change. In her hilarious and thought-provoking first book, she describes the trips she took to see ten rare native species: species that could disappear by 2050 and be forgotten by the end of the century if their habitats continue to decline. Sophie challenged herself to find them the low-carbon way, travelling the length of Britain on foot, by bicycle, in an electric car, by kayak, on ferries and in a lot of trains. From Bodmin Moor to the Orkney Islands, Sophie encountered species on the frontline of climate change in Britain. Which are going to be seriously affected, and why? Could some bounce back from the brink? Or are we too late to save them? Forget Me Not is a clarion call: we all need to play a part in tackling this most existential of threats. Everyone can see wildlife in the British Isles without contributing to its destruction. With joyful irreverence, Sophie shows us we can dare to hope. Journey with her, and she may even inspire you to take action for nature and head out on your own low-carbon adventure.
Forgotten Kingdom: Nine Years in Yunnan 1939–48 (John Murray Travel Classics Ser.)
by Peter GoullartOn the eve of Mao’s revolution, brilliant linguist Peter Goullart made himself totally at home in Likiang, capital of the all-but-forgotten Nakhi Kingdom of south west China. He unpicks the complex society, which believed simultaneously in Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Animism and Shamanism. Goullart lets us in on the love affairs and rivalries of his neighbours, his meetings with ancient dowagers and handsome warriors, as well as allowing us to catch the sound of the swift mountain streams, the coarse ribaldry of the markets and the happy laughter of the wine shops.
Formula One Racing For Dummies
by Jonathan NobleA crash course in the exciting world of professional motor racing Formula One Racing For Dummies has all the information you need to start following this exciting motor sport. You’ll learn the basic dynamics and rules of F1, and you’ll get a primer on the drama, strategies, politics, and rivalries that have turned the sport into a global sensation. Written by an industry expert, this book is full of fun anecdotes that will get beginners and die-hards alike excited for the next race. Get to know the contemporary F1 scene, with profiles of current team managers and drivers, info on the best media coverage and F1 news sources, and the latest rules and technical regulations. For fans who watch F1 on TV and those who attend the races in person, this fast-paced Dummies guide is a perfect way to bolster your enjoyment of the sport. Discover the anatomy of Formula One racecars, including hybrid engines and modern safety systems Learn what goes on behind the scenes, so you know what’s at stake when you watch races Get to know the most popular drivers, their racing styles, and their backstories Familiarize yourself with the championships, pit stops, and new tracksFollowing F1 is a lot more exciting when you have a little knowledge about the sport. Formula One Racing For Dummies, the Grand Prix of racing guides, will teach you the ins and outs.
Formula One Racing For Dummies
by Jonathan NobleA crash course in the exciting world of professional motor racing Formula One Racing For Dummies has all the information you need to start following this exciting motor sport. You’ll learn the basic dynamics and rules of F1, and you’ll get a primer on the drama, strategies, politics, and rivalries that have turned the sport into a global sensation. Written by an industry expert, this book is full of fun anecdotes that will get beginners and die-hards alike excited for the next race. Get to know the contemporary F1 scene, with profiles of current team managers and drivers, info on the best media coverage and F1 news sources, and the latest rules and technical regulations. For fans who watch F1 on TV and those who attend the races in person, this fast-paced Dummies guide is a perfect way to bolster your enjoyment of the sport. Discover the anatomy of Formula One racecars, including hybrid engines and modern safety systems Learn what goes on behind the scenes, so you know what’s at stake when you watch races Get to know the most popular drivers, their racing styles, and their backstories Familiarize yourself with the championships, pit stops, and new tracksFollowing F1 is a lot more exciting when you have a little knowledge about the sport. Formula One Racing For Dummies, the Grand Prix of racing guides, will teach you the ins and outs.
Forschungsfeld Gastronomie: Grundlagen – Einstellungen – Konsumenten (Forschung und Praxis an der FHWien der WKW)
by Klaus-Peter Fritz Daniela WagnerIm vorliegenden Buch wird das noch junge Forschungsfeld Gastronomie beleuchtet. Eingangs wird das Forschungsfeld eingegrenzt und definiert. Darauf aufbauend werden innovative Forschungsprojekte im Bereich Gastronomie vorgestellt. So werden beispielsweise die kulinarischen Grundeinstellungen von Gästen der Wiener Gastronomie analysiert oder die Umsetzung von Nachhaltigkeit in Großküchen diskutiert. Weitere Beiträge beschäftigen sich mit der Abgrenzung von Gastronomie und Culinary Tourism sowie dem praxisorientierten Einsatz von Forschungsergebnissen in der Gastronomie.
Fortress of Fury (The Bernicia Chronicles #7)
by Matthew HarffyBeobrand is besieged in the action-packed instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles set in AD 647 Anglo-Saxon Britain. War hangs heavy in the hot summer air as Penda of Mercia and his allies march into the north. Caught unawares, the Bernician forces are besieged within the great fortress of Bebbanburg. It falls to Beobrand to mount the defence of the stronghold, but even while the battle rages, old and powerful enemies have mobilised against him, seeking vengeance for past events. As the Mercian forces tighten their grip and unknown killers close in, Beobrand finds himself in a struggle with conflicting oaths and the dreadful pull of a forbidden love that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. With the future of Northumbria in jeopardy, will Beobrand be able to withstand the powers that beset him and find a path to victory against all the odds? Love these historical thrillers? Pre-order A Time for Swords today – the start of an exciting new series from bestselling author of the Bernicia Chronicles, Matthew Harffy. Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society. 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Visceral tales of battle, revenge, and honour, but the saga of Beobrand never loses sight of what it means to be a hero in such a bloody age' Graham McNeill.'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald. 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron. 'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements. 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney. 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson. 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans. 'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay. 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard.
A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels In The Far East
by Tiziano TerzaniWarned by a fortune-teller not to risk flying, the author – a seasoned correspondent – took to travelling by rail, road and sea. Consulting fortune-tellers and shamans wherever he went, he learnt to understand and respect older ways of life and beliefs now threatened by the crasser forms of Western modernity.
Foul Deeds and Fine Dying: A Pellegrino Artusi Mystery
by Marco MalvaldiPellegrino Artusi, the great gastronome and amateur detective, is back. It is 1900 and Pellegrino's famed cookbook is in its fifth edition. Flushed from his fortune and success, our hero joins a weekend party at the Tuscan castle of the wealthy agricultural entrepreneur, Secondo Gazzolo. In this castle of winding corridors, secret passageways and clandestine meetings, Pellegrino finds a curious collection of guests, each with their own purpose for being there.But when one of the party is found dead in his locked bedroom, seemingly the victim of suffocation, it is up to Pellegrino and his old friend, the detective Ispettore Artistico, to solve what really happened, for the science of food is every bit as complex, rigorous and tantalising as the sublime art of investigation.A perfect "locked room mystery" that will have your brain and your tastebuds tickled.Translated from the Italian by Howard Curtis
Found in Translation: The Unexpected Origins of Place Names
by Duncan MaddenFound in Translation: The Unexpected Origins of Place Names unravels the tangled threads of history and etymology to uncover the strange, intriguing and enlightening stories that have shaped the names of countries and places around the world.Starting in the world's second largest country, Canada, whose name means 'the village', renowned travel writer, Duncan Madden takes us on a spellbinding tour through the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, visiting the weird and wonderful along the way. Learn about the Land Protected by Fire , otherwise known as Azerbaijan; drop by Hippopotamus, or Mali; and sail to the Land of Frizzy-Haired Men in Papua New Guinea.Found in Translation will entertain and inspire the culturally curious - armchair explorers and avid travellers, historians, linguists and lovers of language - painting a new perspective on the names, histories and origins of the places we live in and travel to. Visiting more than sixty countries across all six continents, Found in Translation includes the stories of Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Iceland, Ireland, UK, Germany, Russia, Italy, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Iraq, India, China, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and many more...The foreword, written by bestselling author, explorer and photographer, Levison Wood, sets the context for this revelatory work that is part travelogue, history book and etymological reference.
Foundries and Rolling Mills: Memories of Industrial Britain
by David Hall Fred DibnahJoin engineer, steeplejack and beloved storyteller Fred Dibnah, as he takes you on a personal tour through industrial Britain.Bringing to life landmark events from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century in his typically engaging and anecdotal style, Fred introduces the great inventors from the age of steam, describes the day-to-day operation of railways, mills, forges and factories, and paints a vivid picture of what life was like for the mill-hands, colliers and engineers who laboured in industrial Britain - the workshop of the world.With a comprehensive gazetteer, which lists details of over 230 places of industrial interest - from steam railways and ships, to windmills and watermills - Foundries and Rolling Mills is a glorious portrait of Britain at the height of its industrial power, from one of our most revered figures.
Four Blind Mice (Alex Cross #8)
by James PattersonAlex Cross is preparing to resign from the Washington Police Force. He's enjoying the feeling; not least because the Mastermind is now in prison. And Alex has met a woman, Jamilla Hughes, and he is talking about the future. Then John Sampson shows up at the house, desperate for Alex's help. Three young military wives have been brutally killed during a 'girls' night out' and Sampson's friend, a master sergeant at the army base, stands accused.Uncovering evidence of a series of suspicious murder convictions, Alex and Sampson are determined to infiltrate the closed world of the military. But what is the army trying to hide? And do the mysterious symbols daubed on the house of the accused mean that there are more sinister forces at work?
Four Fields
by Tim DeeIn his first book since the acclaimed The Running Sky Tim Dee tells the story of four green fields. Four fields spread around the world: their grasses, their hedges, their birds, their skies, and their natural and human histories. Four real fields – walkable, mappable, man-made, mowable and knowable, but also secretive, mysterious, wild, contested and changing. Four fields – the oldest and simplest and truest measure of what a man needs in life – looked at, thought about, worked in, lived with, written.Dee’s four fields, which he has known for more than twenty years, are the fen field at the bottom of his Cambridgeshire garden, a field in southern Zambia, a prairie field in Little Bighorn, Montana, USA, and a grass meadow in the exclusion zone at Chernobyl, Ukraine. Meditating on these four fields, Dee makes us look anew at where we live and how. He argues that we must attend to what we have made of the wild, to look at and think about the way we have messed things up but also to notice how we have kept going alongside nature, to listen to the conversation we have had with grass and fields.Four Fields is a profound, lyrical book by one of Britain’s very best writers about nature.Shortlisted for the 2014 Ondaatje Prize
Four Kitchens: My Life Behind the Burner in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv, and Paris
by Lauren ShockeyAt the French Culinary Institute, Lauren Shockey learned to salt food properly, cook fearlessly over high heat, and knock back beers like a pro. But she also discovered that her real culinary education wouldn't begin until she actually worked in a restaurant. After a somewhat disappointing apprenticeship in the French provinces, Shockey hatched a plan for her dream year: to apprentice in four high-end restaurants around the world. She started in her hometown of New York City under the famed chef Wylie Dufresne at the molecular gastronomy hotspot wd-50, then traveled to Vietnam, Israel, and back to France. From the ribald kitchen humor to fiery-tempered workers to tasks ranging from the mundane (mincing cases of shallots) to the extraordinary (cooking seafood on the line), Shockey shows us what really happens behind the scenes in haute cuisine, and includes original recipes integrating the techniques and flavors she learned along the way. With the dramatic backdrop of restaurant life, readers will be delighted by the adventures of a bright and restless young woman looking for her place in the world.
Four Masted Schooner (tactile)
by Adrian FarnsworthThis is an image of a large old sailing ship. It is a side view with the stern on the left of the page and the bow on the right of the page. Each mast has a mainsail and a smaller triangular topsail. On the right of the page a bowsprit sticks out to the right with three small triangular sails which overlap each other.
Four Points of the Compass: The Unexpected History of Direction
by Jerry BrottonA sparkling exploration of direction, by the acclaimed author of A History of the World in 12 MapsNorth, south, east and west: almost all societies use the four cardinal directions to orientate themselves, to understand who they are by projecting where they are. For millennia, these four directions have been foundational to our travel, navigation and exploration and are central to the imaginative, moral and political geography of virtually every culture in the world. Yet they are far more subjective and various – sometimes contradictory – than we might realize.The Four Points of the Compass takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery. Jerry Brotton reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east; why Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps; why the early Islam revered the south; why the Aztecs used five colour-coded cardinal directions; and why no societies, primitive or modern, have ever orientated themselves westwards. He ends by reflecting on our digital age in which we, the little blue dot on the screen, have become the most important compass point. Throughout, Brotton shows that the directions reflect a human desire to create order and that they only have meaning, literally and metaphorically, depending on where you stand.